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1. The Disciple - Indrabhuti Gautam
Ple
lease allow me to introduce my self. I am Indrabhuti Gautam, an eminent Vedic scholar and ritual specialist. Today I am fortunate to be in Pava, a beautiful city on the south bank of the river North Ganga. Just west of us is the mighty kingdom of Maghad. Pava is lush, fertile, and filled with peace. I am joined by my disciples to officiate a yagnya ceremony organized by Somil - a rich Brahmin. Thousands of other learned Brahmins from the nearby villages, towns, and cities have also arrived here with their disciples.
People are scurrying about in anticipation of the upcoming activities. Ritual specialists are busy preparing to launch the yagnya, and the fragrant smoke of the yagnya fire gently fills the sky. Its plumes spread news of the great ceremony far and wide. People are jostling to obtain seats with the best view. The air is filled with the loud chants of Vedic mantras. Hundreds of sacrificial animals, goats and cattle are bound in nearby fields awaiting slaughter. It promises to be a grand sacrificial yagnya. The chanting is so loud that I can hardly hear the animals. Sometimes, I feel sorry for them, but they will be silenced soon. They will be offered to the Lord of the yagnya for his blessings and afterwards there will be a grand feast.
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